Reversion control device for watercraft exhaust system

Abstract

The present invention is a reversion control device including a housing with a proximal end and a distal end. The reversion control device further includes at least one reversion cone, a stationary vane and a flapper. In one example, the reversion control device includes an oxygen sensor for monitoring the oxygen content of the engine for routine operations or for diagnostic purposes. In an example, the housing includes an expansion chamber to house the reversion cone, the stationary vane and the flapper. In another example, the stationary vane is housed within the reversion cone. In yet another example, the reversion control device is integrated within an exhaust manifold elbow.

1 . A reversion control device comprising: 
 a housing with a proximal end and a distal end;    a first reversion cone housed in the housing; and    a flapper housed in the housing.    
   
   
       2 . The reversion control device of  claim 1  further comprising a stationary vane housed in the housing.  
   
   
       3 . The reversion control device of  claim 1 , wherein the first reversion cone is housed near the distal end of the housing.  
   
   
       4 . The reversion control device of  claim 3 , wherein the stationary vane is housed within the first reversion cone.  
   
   
       5 . The reversion control device of  claim 1 , wherein the first reversion cone includes a distal edge that is substantially curved.  
   
   
       6 . The reversion control device of  claim 1 , wherein the first reversion cone includes a distal edge that is substantially straight.  
   
   
       7 . The reversion control device of  claim 1 , wherein the stationary vane is housed distal to the flapper.  
   
   
       8 . The reversion control device of  claim 1 , wherein the stationary vane is housed proximal to the flapper.  
   
   
       9 . The reversion control device of  claim 1  further comprising a diffuser edge at the distal end.  
   
   
       10 . The reversion control device of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of an exhaust manifold elbow comprises the housing.  
   
   
       11 . The reversion control device of  claim 1 , wherein the reversion control device is connected to an exhaust manifold elbow at the proximal end.  
   
   
       12 . The reversion control device of  claim 1 , wherein the reversion control device includes a second reversion cone housed in the housing.  
   
   
       13 . The reversion control device of  claim 12  wherein the first reversion cone is housed at the distal end and the second reversion cone is housed at the proximal end.  
   
   
       14 . The reversion control device of  claim 11 , wherein the exhaust manifold elbow includes an exhaust gas passage for exiting exhaust gas, a water passage for exiting water and an elbow mixing area for connecting to the proximal end.  
   
   
       15 . The reversion control device of  claim 14 , wherein the proximal end fits into the elbow mixing area.  
   
   
       16 . The reversion control device of  claim 14 , wherein the elbow mixing area fits into the proximal end.  
   
   
       17 . The reversion control device of  claim 1 , wherein the stationary vane comprises a plurality of stationary blades with each stationary blade comprising a slightly D shape.  
   
   
       18 . The reversion control device of  claim 17 , wherein each of the plurality of stationary blades tilts at an angle of about 45 degrees relative to a vertical plane within the housing.  
   
   
       19 . The reversion control device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a pivot point; and 
 the flapper includes a hinge tube wherein a rod is inserted into the hinge tube at the pivot point to pivot the flapper from an open position to a closed position or from a closed position to an open position.    
   
   
       20 . The reversion control device of  claim 19  further comprising a flapper stop pin to limit the pivoting action of the flapper.  
   
   
       21 . The reversion control device of  claim 19 , wherein the hinge tube is an integral part of the flapper.  
   
   
       22 . The reversion control device of  claim 19 , wherein the flapper includes a face and wherein the hinge tube is located on the face such that, when the flapper is mounted within the housing, the face of the flapper is at an angle Θ (theta) between about 20 to about 60 degrees.  
   
   
       23 . The reversion control device of  claim 22 , wherein the angle Θ (theta) is about 35 degrees.  
   
   
       24 . The reversion control device of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal end includes a circumference that is substantially circular.  
   
   
       25 . The reversion control device of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal end includes a circumference that is partially circular, with a flat portion.  
   
   
       26 . The reversion control device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing has a length L of about 8 inches.  
   
   
       27 . The reversion control device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing has a diameter of about 3 inches.  
   
   
       28 . The reversion control device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes an expansion chamber to house the first reversion cone, the stationary vane and the flapper.  
   
   
       29 . The reversion control device of  claim 28 , wherein the transition from the expansion chamber to the proximal end is a substantially straight linear transition.  
   
   
       30 . The reversion control device of  claim 28 , wherein the transition from the expansion chamber to the proximal end is a substantially curved transition.  
   
   
       31 . The reversion control device of  claim 28 , wherein the ratio between a first diameter d 1  of the distal end to a second diameter d 2  of the expansion chamber is between about 1.5 to about 3 times.  
   
   
       32 . The reversion control device of  claim 1  further comprising an oxygen sensor for monitoring oxygen content.  
   
   
       33 . The reversion control device of  claim 32  wherein the housing further comprises a threaded hole for mounting the oxygen sensor.  
   
   
       34 . A reversion control device comprising: 
 a housing with a proximal end, a distal end and an expansion chamber,    a first reversion cone housed within the expansion chamber near the distal end;    a stationary vane housed within the expansion chamber near the distal end; and    a flapper housed within the expansion chamber near the proximal end.    
   
   
       35 . The reversion control device of  claim 34 , wherein the stationary vane is housed within the first reversion cone.  
   
   
       36 . The reversion control device of  claim 34  further comprising a second reversion cone housed near the proximal end.  
   
   
       37 . An exhaust system for controlling water reversion comprising: 
 a reversion control device comprising a housing with a proximal end, a distal end, and an expansion chamber between the proximal end and the distal end; a first reversion cone housed within the expansion chamber; a stationary vane housed within the expansion chamber; and a flapper housed within the expansion chamber;    at least one exhaust mixture hose support attached to the reversion control device on the housing; and    an exhaust mixture hose coupled to at least one exhaust mixture hose support, the exhaust mixture hose surrounding the reversion control device.    
   
   
       38 . The exhaust system of  claim 37 , wherein the reversion control device further comprises a second reversion cone housed within the expansion chamber.  
   
   
       39 . An exhaust manifold elbow comprising: 
 a reversion control device housed within the exhaust manifold elbow, the reversion control device comprising a proximal end, a distal end, a first reversion cone housed near the distal end, a stationary vane housed near the distal end, and a flapper housed near the proximal end.    
   
   
       40 . The exhaust manifold elbow of  claim 39 , wherein the reversion control device further comprises a diffuser edge housed near the distal end.  
   
   
       41 . The exhaust manifold elbow-of  claim 39 , wherein the reversion control device further comprises a second reversion cone housed near the proximal end.  
   
   
       42 . An exhaust manifold elbow comprising: 
 a reversion control device housed within the exhaust manifold elbow, the reversion control device comprising a proximal end, a distal end, an expansion chamber between the distal end and the proximal end, a first reversion cone housed within the expansion chamber, a stationary vane housed within the expansion chamber, a flapper housed within the expansion chamber, and a second reversion cone housed in the proximal direction of the exhaust manifold elbow.